Geidai Animation: 5th Graduate Works 2014 (DVD)

Geidai Animation: 5th Graduate Works 2014 (DVD)

東京藝術大学大学院映像研究科アニメーション専攻第五期生修了作品集 2014

Koji Yamamura’s presentation of a selection of animated shorts by the Tokyo University of Arts (aka Geidai) Animation Department’s graduating class of 2014 at Nippon Connection was sold out – to the extent that festival volunteers were sitting on the steps so that they could watch as well.  Many people on social media have told me that they wish that they, too, could have been there.  Luckily, the Geidai DVD of their 5th year of graduate works is now available to order online.   

Order Geidai Animation 2014

The class of 2014 was taught by Professors Yuichi Ito (stop motion animator), Mitsuko Okamoto (animation producer), Koji Yamamura (multi-award winning independent animator and Oscar nominee), and Taruto Fuyama (animator, stop motion software developer).  Animator Hiromitsu Murakami is an Assistant Professor in the programme and Ilan Nguyen is a lecturer.  Hiroki Kono (Geidai 2011), Yuanyuan Hu (Geidai 2012), and Yuichi Matsumoto provided additional assistance.  Sound instructors for the films were Tatsuhko Nishioka, Toru Kamekawa, Yuichi Kishino, and Hiroshi Takayama.

Once again, Geidai has a diverse group of animators from all over Japan and overseas (China, South Korea).  They also represent a wide cross section of styles including stop motion, drawn, mixed media, experimental, and computer animation.  The standard of animation demonstrated by the Geidai graduates is once again very high.  Two stand outs for me are Yantong Zhu from Nanjing, who in her graduate work My Milk Cup Cow tells a deeply moving personal story (read my review) with beautifully rendered animation, and Yutaro Kubo, whose experimental works Kicking Rocks and 00:08 (8 seconds) fill me with the same kind of excitement I feel when watching Ryan Larkin films (see the NFB website). 

This year’s poster and DVD cover art was designed by Yewon Kim, and the opening event trailer is directed by Kohei Takeda.  Unless otherwise noted, all film synopses below are from the DVD booklet.  Bios have been updated with official websites, vimeo profiles, social media accounts, and so on.

Graduate Films

収録作品  第三期生修了作品

Way Back to the Sea

なまずは海に還る / Namazu wa umi ni kaeru / 2014年 / 09'28"

“The catfish can’t get back to the sea.  A big catfish is stuck on a riverbank, where he lives quietly with a little catfish in a boat packed with memories from back home.”

Kaori Iwase (岩瀬夏緒利, b. 1988) was born in Ibaraki.  She has degrees in Design (2012) and Animation (2014) from Geidai.  Follow her on twitter and youtube.

Growth Factor

だっぴするためにひつようなこと / Dappisu tame ni hitsu you na koto / 2014年 / 06'58"

“A middle school boy, who likes to snap photos of things he fancies, and then draws pictures of them.  On his usual route home, he spots the girl he likes with another boy.  The balance between his delusions and reality is in constant flux.”

Ryōsuke Ōshiro (大城良輔, b. 1988) grew up in Okinawa.  He has a degree in Design from Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts and completed his MA in Animation at Geidai in 2014.  Follow him on twitter, tumblr, and youtube.

Warriors

2014年 / 03'45"

“Men’s muscle, lust for battle, conflict, and the game.”

Noriko Okamoto (岡本典子, b. 1989) is a native of Kyoto.  She has a degree in Animation from the Faculty of Manga at Kyoto Seika University and completed her MA in Animation at Geidai in 2014. 

Crazy Little Thing

澱みの騒ぎ / Yodomi no Sakagi / 2014年 / 10'54"

“The two of them, all alone at home. All alone with her father's corpse. Memories, ideals, and reality all sink beneath the muck. Everyone is alone. Everyone is in solitude. “ 

Onohana (小野ハナ/Hana Ono, b. 1986) is from Iwate Prefecture.  She has a degree in Art Culture from Iwate University (2009) and an MA in Animation from Geidai (2014).  Learn more about her on her official website and follow her on twitter.

Exit My Room

おでかけ/ Odekake / 2014年 / 05'08"

“He lives his life everyday like it's nothing special. Today he eats, gets dressed, and heads out once again.”

Ayaho Kawakami (川上彩穂, b. 1989) has a degree in Ecoregion Science from Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology and completed her MA in Animation at Geidai (2014).  Follow her on tumblr.

Everyday Sins

日々の罪悪 / Nichinichi no Zaiaku / 2014年 / 07'38"

“Guilty is an art university student who is slacking off on her school work and feels horrible about it. Plus, she's confused about her family and Christianity, and she can't even get her ex-boyfriend to accept a small present she bought for him.”

Yewon Kim (キム・イェオン, b. 1988) is from South Korea.  She studied graduated from Korea Animation High School in 2006.  She continued her animation studies with a CA from Tokyo Polytechnic University (2011) before doing her MA at Geidai (2014).  This spring she began sharing her manga on her tumblr OnionSkin Publication.  You can also follow her on twitter and vimeo.

00:08

2014年 / 05'19"

“This piece takes 8 seconds, and creates intervals between the frames, and then makes them bigger. It's about expansion and enlargement, not the passage of time. 8 seconds becomes that much more luxuriant.”

Yūtarō Kubo (久保雄太郎, 1990) is from Oita.  He has a BA in Animation from Tokyo Polytechnic University (2012) and an MA in Animation from Geidai (2014).  Check out his official website and follow him on twitter and vimeo.

Mrs. KABAGOdZILLA

ミセス・カバゴジラ / Misesu Kabagojira / 2014年 / 09'26"

“‘Mrs. KABAGodZILLA had a daughter whose feet and arms looked just like her own.’ Mother and child were always together, but the mother's hospitalization makes the daughter remember the past, and think a little about what lies ahead.”

Moe Koyano (小谷野萌, b. 1989) is a native of Tokyo.  She has a degree in animation from Tokyo Polytechnic University (2012) and completed her MA in Animation at Geidai in 2014.  Follow her on tumblr and youtube. 

My Milk Cup Cow

コップの中の子牛/ Koppu no naka no Koushi / 2014年 / 11'03"

Read my full review of My Milk Cup Cow.

Yantong Zhu (朱彦潼シュ・ゲンドウ, b. 1988) grew up in Nanjing, China and graduated with a degree in Advertising from the Nanjing University of Finance and Economics in 2010.  She completed Geidai’s graduate programme in animation in 2014.  You can follow Yantong Zhu on twitter or vimeo.

Pamon

パモン / 2014年 / 09'45"

“PAMON are magical and mysterious creatures who can move the hair on their head however they wish, and communicate using their chest hair. This tale takes a peek at an ordinary day for the PAMON”

Kazushige Tōma (当真一茂, b. 1988) is from Okinawa.  He has a degree in Design and Design Crafts from Okinawa Prefectural University of the Arts (2012) and an MA in Animation from Geidai (2014).  He can be followed on twitter.  Check out his animation and puppets on his official website Nazetaro Web.

Flower Bud

花芽 / Kaga / 2014年 / 05'52"

“The uncertainty, struggles, and joy of the moment upon becoming an adult. Between lullabies and songs I hum to myself. Between a man and myself. That subtle flickering in a single instant, forgotten once it is over.  Never forget that moment. . .”    

Saki Nakano (中野咲, b. 1988) is from Gunma.  She graduated from Joshibi University of Art and Design before pursuing her MA in Animation at Geidai.  Follow her on twitter.

Decorations

デコレーションズ / 2014年 / 07'00"

“A quaint kitchen in a house tucked away in the outskirts of the city.  Amidst preparations fo a banquet, the birth of a new life brings turmoil and change.  And then, she heads off on her own journey.  Those who send her off recall the day they embarked on their own journeys, just like her.”

Read my full review of Decorations.

Mari Miyazawa (宮澤真理) is a former graphic designer in the computer games industry.  Since 2002, she has worked as a food blogger and starting in 2007 she began to bring her love of food and animation together.  Check out Miyazawa’s bento tips on her official YouTube channel, follow her blog on food art at http://www.e-obento.com/ and on twitter: @Mari_Miyazawa.

Lonesome Hero

ひとりぼっちのヒーロー / Hitori botchi no hīrō/ 2014年 / 07'40"

“This is for children who couldn’t be on their own.  And, for the time when you’re older and you’ve forgotten your determination to be on your own.”

Manami Wakai (若井麻奈美, b. 1989) is a native of Kanagawa.  She has a degree in Oil Painting from Tama Art University and an MA in Animation from Geidai (2014).  Follow her on twitter and check out her art on her official website.

First Year Films

一年次作品2013

A Piece of Green

ひとつのカケラ / Hitsotsu no Kakera /岩瀬夏緒利 / Kaori Iwase / 2013年 / 05'38"

“Dwarfs in red, blue and green colours have been working in each dark cabinet in a factory called television.  They have kept working without questioning their own identities.  Midori, a green dwarf, becomes aware of himself.  .  .”

Playground

あきちあそび / Akichi-asobi / 大城良輔 / Ryosuke Oshiro / 2013年 / 05'09"

“A boy is always alone, at school, or at home.  One day, he finds a sandlot on the way home and thinks of making a ‘town’ of his own.  Another boy was watching his play and starts to imitate him.”

Tiny Tot Adventures

アカベンチャー / Aka-benchā / 岡本典子 / Noriko Okamoto / 2013年 / 06'07"

“Mom and Dad imagine their little baby in Mom’s tummy, which is just like a universe filled with amniotic fluid and the baby is having an adventure there.”

Do As the Fish Tells You

魚のいうことを聞く / Sakana no iukoto wo Kiku   / 小野ハナ/ Onohana / 2013年 / 05'28"

“I want to leave home,” a pet fish told a boy one day.  The boy reluctantly takes the fish out to the sea to ‘keep his promise,’ as it says.  Their recollections on the way became slightly discrepant.” 

I’m Nothing

なんでもない / Nandemonai /  川上彩穂/ Ayako Kawakami / 2013年 / 04'06"

“I get up in the morning, prepare myself, wait for a bus, then the train, go to school, and return home.  Days go by even while I wonder about, cry, or sleep.

My Frame

私の額縁  / Watashi no Gakubuchi / キム・イェオン/ Yewon Kim / 2013年 / 07'29"

“Suffering from her delusion, K tries to depict her disorder in her paintings.  In her dream, she finds a frame, which makes her believe that drawing is her destiny.”

Kicking Rocks

石けり/ Ishi keri / 久保雄太郎/ Yutaro Kubo / 2013年 / 05'00"

“All of a sudden, a boy starts to play hopscotch.  Kicking stone[s] is.  .  .  simply play, but it doesn’t work as simply as it seems.  He struggles by the rule he made himself.”

My Dear Flesh

かみさまのはらわた / Kamisama no Harawata / 小谷野萌/ Moe Koyano / 2013年 / 05'02"

“A spring night, I walked past a ‘god’.  I wonder if it was a cat or a man.  Or was it a wind I felt in a slumber?  They were certainly there, celebrating the cycle of lives in small ways.”

SELF Image

自我像 / Jigazō / 澁谷岳志/ Takashi Shibuya / 2013年 / 02'38"

“A man walks.  His form wobbles precariously.  The world is hard to tell subjective or objective.  His body is cut in pieces.  Only the power of image can make these unite.”

Happy fluffy time

当真一茂 / Kazushige Toma / 2013年 / 05'26"

“A girl plays alone in the twilight park.  Unexpectedly there appears a strange cotton candy man who makes magical cotton candies, which transform themselves into various animals and give the girl a happy fluffy moment.”

Ream

連 / Ren / 中野咲 / Saki Nakano / 2013年 / 02'51"

“The theme is ‘one continues to live, leaving his trace.’  It is an abstract animation [in] which movement is done by repetition of pencil drawings and erasure on a piece of paper.”

cubic centimeter

春成つむぎ/ Tsumugi Harunari / 2013年 / 02'48"

“This animation shows how the liquid in a glass erupts, spreads, mix[es], and overflows.”

Twins in Bakery

宮澤真理/ Mari Miyazawa / 2013年 / 04'55"

“A magical incident happened in an ordinary bakery while the baker was away for delivery.  That incident made this bakery the best in town.  But it is a secret not to be disclosed.”

Read my full review of Twins in the Bakery.

Daily Lives at Daisy Lodge

コーポにちにち草のくらし/ Kōpo Nichichi Kusa no Kurashi / 若井麻奈美/ Manami Wakai / 2013年 / 08'23"

“The story of Bear, Acorn, Prawn Fritter, and Reading Glasses, or Specs, who live in a flat called Daisy Lodge from summer to a winter morning.  And it continues to someday when we look back today.”

Catherine Munroe Hotes 2014

Geidai Animation: 4th Graduate Works 2013 (DVD)

Geidai Animation: 4^th Graduate Works 2013 (DVD)

東京藝術大学大学院映像研究科アニメーション専攻第四期生修了作品集 2013

The class of 2013 was taught by Professors Yuichi Ito (Model Animation), Mitsuko Okamoto (Production), Takehito Deguchi (Screenwriting), and Koji Yamamura (2D animation).  Assistant Professors were animator Hiromitsu Murakami and lecturer Ilan Nguyen.  Hiroki Kono, Hiroko Tochigi and Yuichi Matsumoto provided additional assistance.  Sound instructors for the films were Tatsuhko Nishioka, Toru Kamekawa, Yuichi Kishino, and Hiroshi Takayama.

Order Geidai Animation 2013

As Geidai only offers a graduate programme in animation, their students are always the cream of the crop, having already proven themselves as undergraduate students at other institutions.  For the fourth year in a row, the work of Geidai students were warmly received at animation festivals around the world with many making the Jury Selection at the 17^th Japan Media Arts Festival.  2013 was the first year that Nippon Connection featured a selection of works by Tokyo University of the Arts graduates (learn more here) thanks to support from The City of Yokohama Frankfurt Representative Office (Yokohama and Frankfurt am Main have been sister cities since 2011).

As in the previous year, this DVD features strong animators from overseas – Hakhyun Kim from Seoul, who had also done his undergraduate in animation in Japan, has an original personal style and his film Maze King (2013) did well on the festival circuit.  Among the first year films is a short by Yantong Zhu, a Chinese animator from the class of 2014.  Zhu is one of a number up-and-coming young women filmmakers from Geidai.  The DVD features impressive graduates such as Saki Muramoto, Yuka Imabayashi, Ayasa Kugenuma, and many more. 

One of my favourite animators from this graduating class is Kazuhiko Okushita, who is known for using a line drawing style that reminds me of Italian animator Cava (Osvaldo Cavandoli, 1920-2007), whose animated shorts series La Linea (The Line, 1972-1991) is a childhood favourite of mine.  I first became aware of Okushita’s work when I saw his undergraduate film The Red Thread in 2010 (read my review).  His Geidai works Imagination Trip and Watakushiritori (read my review) are outstanding and he has already been able to commercialize his talents as a successful freelancer.   Check out the many commercials and logos he has designed on his official website.  I particularly love the CD cover art Okushita did for musician Aoki Ken.  Ototoy has an interview with Aoki Ken with sample tracks from this album including the ability to purchase the album online.

Sample and order this album here.

The film descriptions below, unless otherwise noted, are from the DVD booklet.  The illustrations for the poster and cover art were done by Hakhyun Kim and Eri Kawaguchi.  The opening trailer is directed by Saki Muramoto, with the animation assistance from her peers.  The animator bios have been updated with current information including links to homepages, blogs, and other online profiles that I could find.  

Graduate Films

収録作品  第三期生修了作品

From a Stone

石から / Ishi kara / 2013年 / 02'56"

“Four years ago while out for a walk in Ome, I picked up an intriguing stone of 30cm across.  Then I wanted to pursue its image until its ultimate end.”

Tatsuhiro Ariyoshi (有吉達宏, b. 1985) was born in Aichi.  He has a BA from the Department of Imaging Arts and Sciences at Musashino Art University (2009) and completed his MA in Animation at Geidai in 2013.  On his official homepage he gives links for all his various online profiles.

USALULLABY

2013年 / 05'33"

“Increasing in number, small rabbits take care of a great dolphin.  Can the dolphin get to sleep by rabbits’ gentle caress?  May many people have [a] good sleep and sweet dreams tonight even in the world with whining sounds and wriggle of yin and yang.”

Asami Ike (池亜佐美, b. 1987) is a native of Tokyo.  She has a BA in Design (2011) and an MA in Animation (2013) from Geidai.  Check out her official website and online shop where she sells pins and bags made using her unique characters.

MyakuMyaku – Drops of Life –

みゃくみゃく—Drops of Life— / 2013年 / 06'05"

“Blood is circulated around, calmly replacing itself, making us alive.  It throbs ceaselessly without any attention.  It carries on.” 

Yuka Imabayashi (今林由佳, b. 1985) is from Chiba.  She has a BA in Painting (2010) and an MA in Animation (2013) from Geidai.  Follow her on twitter. 

Of Mice and Clockworks

ねじ巻き劇場とねずみ / Nejimaki Gekijō to Nezumi / 2013年 / 03'01"

“A rat happens to find a small theater and falls in love with a small wind-up doll girl there.”

Satomi Usui (臼井聡美, b. 1986) was born in Toshigi.  She has a BA in Design (2011) and an MA in Animation (2013) from Geidai. Check out her official website for film clips and photographs of her work.

Watakushiritori

わたくしりとり / 2013年 / 03'55"

“One day is presented by shiritori, a word game of last and first.  A chain of images in one line evolves the story of this game.”    Read my full review of Watakushiritori.

Kazuhiko Okushita (奥下和彦, b. 1985) is from Ishikawa.  He graduated from Kanazawa College of Art (2009) and completed his MA in Animation at Geidai in 2013.  Since graduation he has had great success as a freelancer, check out his work on his official website.

2PM at the Glass House

午後２時、温室にて / Gogo 2-ji, Onshitsu nite / 2013年 / 07'23"

“A story of two boys told through a dragonfly specimen.  Is the story told from the boy’s side?  Or is this a dragonfly’s dream?”

Yumi Kawai (河井ゆう美, b. 1987) was born in Saitama.  She majored in Animation in the Depart of Design at Tokyo Zokei University (2011) before doing her MA in Animation at Geidai (2013).  Follow her on twitter.

Wild Wild Ham

底なしウィンナー / Sokonashi Winnā / 2013年 / 04'46"

“How to spend a ten-minute break at club activities.  Let us take off [our] shoes and socks, and enjoy the fresh breeze between our toes.  We are all flesh after all.”

Eri Kawaguchi (川口恵里, b. 1989) is a native of Yokohama.  She did her BA in Graphic Design at Tama Art University (2011) and completed her MA in Animation at Geidai in 2013.  Follow her on tumblr.

MAZE KING

2013年 / 07'01"

“We cannot stay here any longer.  We must leave tomorrow morning.  A clown convinces and hurries the residents of an amusement park, a girl, a gay, a soldier, a dog, to be in time for the merry-go-round.”

Hakhyun Kim (キム・ハケン, 1982) was born in Seoul, South Korea. He did his BA in Animation at Tokyo Polytechnic University (2010) before coming to Geidai for his MA (2013).  You can follow him on vimeo.

Marie’s Sugar Plum

コンペイトウのおまじない/ Konpeitou no Omajinai / 2013年 / 05'00"

“Marie has lost the precious memories of her mother and her magic spell.  One day she meets a mysterious nutcracker in her dream and strays off into an extraordinary world.”

Risa Kimpara (金原里紗, b. 1985) is from Shizuoka.  She has a BA in Animation from Tokyo Polytechnic University and completed her MA in Animation at Geidai in 2013. 

The Blooms

2013年 / 05'40"

“Deep down in the forest there lived flower fairies in flower gardens, waking up with the sunrise, eating sweets, and chatting with each other.  One day they had a visit from his and then.  .  .”  Read my full review of The Blooms.

Ayasa Kugenuma (久下沼朱紗, b. 1987) was born in Tokyo.  She did her BA in Graphic Design at Tama Art University (2011) and her MA in Animation at Geidai (2013).  In addition to animation, Kugenuma does freelance animation.  Check out her illustrations and other work on her official website.

Fox Spirits

きつね / Kitsune / 2013年 / 03'24"

“Some by walking, some by car or trains, or in the relay of vehicles, foxes get together for an annual assembly.”

Hitomi Nakamura (中村仁美, b. 1988) is a native of Tokyo.  She completed her BA in Painting at Tama Art University (2011) and her MA in Animation at Geidai (2013). 

Darkeling

やみのけ  / Yami no ke / 2013年 / 07'08"

“Off-street mysteries.  There are many things we don’t find in the main streets.  We might find many happenings in the back street, which don’t happen in the main streets.”

Yuri Nakamoto (仲本有里) was born in Shizuoka Prefecture.  She has a degree in Design from Tokai University.  Before coming to Geidai, she studied puppet animation at Laputa Art Animation School.  Follow her on tumblr.

Two Under the Grayish Sky

失われた空の下で二人 /  Ushinawareta Sora no Shita de Futari / 2013年 / 09'15"

“This story takes place in future earth, where people are restricted to go outside because of radioactive pollution.  In the dark room, the boy is dying to play outside, and his elder sister is full of anxiety.  ‘Gray’ is one of the unit to measure radiation.”

Masataka Hiroyasu (廣安正敬) is from Tokyo.  He has a degree in Economics from Keio University.  While working as an office worker, he studied animation at Laputa Art Animation School.  He completed his MA in Animation at Geidai in 2013.

Mimoptera

キドモモドキ / Kidomomodoki / 2013年 / 05'04"

“Mimoptera has a nature to assimilate with its surroundings.  It assimilates its own form into the environment to avoid the attention.  What would imitation bring on?  Will mimoptera keep imitating.  .  . life?”

Shizuka Miyazaki (宮崎しずか) was born in Kyoto.  After studying sculpture and fashion design, she tried her hand at animation.  She graduated from Geidai in 2013. 

It’s Time for Supper

夜ごはんの時刻/ Yorugohan no jikoku / 2013年 / 08'28"

"Playtime ends at the five o'clock chime.  And there comes the indefinable time between vanishing playtime and dinner time at home."

Read my full review of It's Time for Supper.

Saki Muramoto (村本咲, b. 1988) was born in Shizuoka.  She did her undergraduate studies in the Department of Visual Media at Nagoya University of Arts and Sciences (2011) and has an MA in Animation from Tokyo University of the Arts (2013).  It’s Time for Supper made the Jury Selection for the 17^th Japan Media Arts Festival (2013).  Follow her on twitter, her blog, and vimeo.

First Year Films

一年次作品2012

The Cloudy Dog Talk About

ほこり犬のはなし / Hakori Inu no Hanashi /  池亜佐美 / Asami IKE / 2012年 / 03'30"

“. .  .  The film is of the memory love and gratitude of the dusty dog, and many other dogs, tracing their senses and memories, dedicating to you who gave love to them.”

Rain Drops

臼井聡美 / Satomi USUI / 2012年 / 03'03"

“The film is [about] the water cycle. Each of [the] rain drops transform.  .  .  [as they follow] the cycle of nature, uniting [with] each other, parting, or being absorbed in the course of the[ir] journey.”

Imagination Trip

奥下和彦 / Kazuhiko OKUSHITA / 2012年 / 02'04"

“Visualization of the phenomenon one has [when one seeks] some inspiration.  [A] female protagonist.  .  .  goes on an imaginary trip to generate some ideas.  She creates some new ideas with the [elements found on] that trip.”

Over Her Curtain

襖の奥/ Fusuma no oku /河井ゆう美 / Yumi KAWAI / 2012年 / 04'23"

“The theme [comes] from [unique Japanese] folklore, Red Uncleanness or defilement with blood.  A girl, whose [thought] pattern jumps at a leap.  .  . confines her various thoughts [on] the other side of the mirror and inside the sliding doors to go outside.”

Flower and Steam

花と嫁 / Hana to Yome /川口恵里 / Eri KAWAGUCHI / 2012年 / 04'06"

“A bridge runs [at] full speed, with her veil flapping, and with steam.  When you happen to encounter a bride in her wedding dress, you would love to bless her with a wave of your hand.  Brides symbolize beauty and happiness.  They are also athletes who won their happiness.”

awaiting

キム・ハケン / Hakyun KIM / 2012年 / 03'30"

“A man is waiting for someone in a small boat.  In loneliness he keeps waiting for someone.  For whom, or why he is waiting is not very important.  He wishes to see the sight of formless ‘happiness,’ which can vanish in a blink of an eye as long as possible.”

HARAPEKO MUSEUM

久下沼朱紗 / Ayasa Kugenuma / 2012年 / 03'30"

“There is a strange museum somewhere in the world.  The museum is called HARAPEKO MUSEUM, or Hungry Museum.  There are many kinds of colourful foods exhibited.  At night they wake up in their frames and start to move freely.  .  .”

The Man Who Ate an Apple

朱彦潼 / Yantong ZHU / 2012年 / 03'57"

“An apple comes out of a man’s mouth.  The man’s life goes backward, as video player is reversed.  Many kinds of food accelerated to come out of his mouth and the man becomes younger and younger.  Time goes back without end.”

Tobacco

中村仁美 / Hitomi NAKAMURA / 2012年 / 03'11"

“Tobacco has.  .  .  fascinated people for centuries and does not allow them to stop smoking even when they want to.  Even though you want to finish with smoking, the spirits of tobacco are just behind you.  Let’s enjoy a trip to the world of tobacco.”

Feather Robe from Heaven

羽衣 / Hagoromo / 仲本有里 / Yuri NAKAMOTO / 2012年 / 04'22"

“Story of Hagoromo, or feather robe from heaven, is a legend of Miho Beach.  An angel sets her foot on the beach to bathe in the sea.  Watching her, a fisherman sneaks her robe out, but returns it [due to] feeling guilty.  That makes the angel very happy and she flies up to.  .  .  heaven, dancing in the sky.”

The Town Musicians of Bremen

ブレーメンの音楽隊 / Burēmen no Ongakutai / 廣安正敬 / Masataka HIROYASU / 2012年 / 03'38"

“A donkey has grown old and weak after having worked for [a] human being for a long time.  Realizing his prime time has passed, the donkey decides to go to Bremen to join the town musicians.  On the way there, he meets a dog, a cat, and a rooster, and they find the robbers’ house.  Four animals scare the robbers away from the house.  They make their new lives with their new home.”

Deep Awakening

宮崎しずか / Shizuka MIYAZAKI / 2012年 / 03'05"

“‘He’ has kept moving forward through his life.  Nothing else bothered him.  But, one day by chance he realized that he has definitely grown old.  And eventually he makes a [complete] stop.”

People who are Eating

食べる人たち / Taberu Hitotachi / 村本咲 / Saki MURAMOTO / 2012年 / 02'58"

“People can show some other personality when eating.  Some become like herbivores, chewing so many times.  Some becomes like carp, crowing around [bait].  Some become like hamsters, with their mouths full, etc.  Everyone is unique and worth observation.”

Catherine Munroe Hotes 2014